Туйық су үңгірі - Т1 станциясы/T1 glacial station - Tuyksu glacier (Dolphin cave)/ станц Т1 - грот Туюк-су (пещера Дельфин)

The initial plan was to hike to peak Malysh (baby, no resemblance or whatsoever). The first part of the trail is well known to me, yet it wasn’t as easy to hike this time. Haven’t been feeling well from the night before, moreover, was rather sleep deprived. Guess, should have listened to my body, which was craving to stay in bed at 5:50 am.
Anyway once passed Mynzhyky Plato upon reaching T1 glacial station I have quickly realised that the trail can not be seen, apparently the wind with the 2-3 ft snow covered it up. Due to the late start as a result of the restricted working hours of the public transport following the protests that took place a week earlier, I had almost 2 hours less than would have preferred. Adding it all up, I started thinking of blazing the trail some other time. Have to say the glacial station looked rather deserted. Not sure in what condition the equipment is, but some of the houses and buildings apparently are abandoned. Surprisingly nor have seen any staff around.
As it happens in the mountains the weather tends to change drastically over a short period of time, so it started getting cloudy and the sky turning into a thick grey blanket. Without thinking much I have decided to sneak by a cave near the Tuyuksu glacier, aka the Dolphin cave. The trail is easy to follow as people visit it regularly, so one can usually see lots of people in it. Upon arrival though, to my surprise, I didn’t find anyone in it. Having the entire cave to myself in the mid of the day I have tried to make the best out of it. Putting the safety first I had checked in what condition the cave was. Checked for major cracks (crevasse) in the ice or washings of the soil/rocks that could have caused instability of the overlaying burden of stratum and several tonnes of thick ice. Once the safety check was done I started to wander around in it taking some snapshots. Have to say, some of them look pretty good, perks of the cave being unoccupied, I suppose. After a photoshoot session, it was time to return as in a couple of hours it would become dark. The last thing one wants to do is to hike along the cliffs and icy trails especially along the spur in the dark in the mountains. So without further due I headed back with around 8-9km ahead I had paced up a little and reached Shymbulak in 2 hrs as opposed to indicated 4.5-5 hrs on the direction indicating signs. Obviously, took a bunch of pictures along the way. Btw, the river was completely frozen, so had to cross 20-50 m of ice, loved it.
Upon return to Shymbulak instead of taking a bus to Medeu ice skating arena, although it was getting dark I have decided to walk. I have reached the bus stop at Medeu in 65-70 min. Luckily a bus was waiting for me at the stop. After a nice day and a bit challenging hike as wasn’t feeling well, the only thing that was left to do is to get home safely. That posed some challenges since the curfew starts at 11 pm, though bloody buses stop running by 8 pm.
Overall it was a nice and a bit tiring hike, with plenty of amazing views. The route was altered a bit though, yet prefer to be out in the mountains than laying in bed until noon.

Recommendations.
- If you decide to hike passing farthet T1 glacial station, then make sure you wear gaiters, as the snow is deep.
- There will be one river crossing, which sometimes freezes completely, so preferably to have a micro-spikes.

Safe hikes to all.

Казакша мен орысша жазуга да колым жетип калар.